One of Wyoming’s longest-serving members of the U.S. House may get formal recognition of her service to the Cowboy State.
Wyoming’s congressional delegation has introduced legislation to name the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper for former congresswoman Barbara Cubin.
Cubin served in the U.S. House from 1995-2009 and is the second-longest serving Wyoming member of the U.S. House behind former congressman Frank Mondell, served from 1895-1897 and 1899-1923.
She was also the first woman to win an election for a federal office in Wyoming.
Since she retired in 2009, only women have represented Wyoming in the House.
Cubin, a Republican, served in the Wyoming Legislature from 1987-1993 before being elected to Congress.
The legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis and Rep. Harriet Hageman would recognize Cubin’s importance to the state.
“Barbara Cubin broke barriers and blazed trails for women in the Cowboy State,” Lummis said in a press release. “This center would not exist without Barbara’s hard work and tenacious spirit, and I can think of no better way to honor her service to her beloved Wyoming than to have the center she created bear her name.”
Critical Role
Cubin, 78, was not available to comment for this story, but her son Bill Cubin said she’s very thankful for the effort. If passed, the Interpretive Center would become the first name designation of any kind after Cubin.
“My mom is very honored and thankful the delegation would introduce this bill,” he said. “More than anything she loves the Historical Trails Center.”
Cubin said his mother was instrumental in securing money for the construction and operating costs of the Interpretive Center in 1998, an effort he said took extensive lobbying on Capitol Hill.
The facility opened in 2002 and tells the stories of westward migration in the U.S. It is owned by the BLM and is run through a public-private partnership with the National Historic Trails Center Foundation and the city of Casper.
Lasting Legacy
Cubin said his mother loves Wyoming and because of that, chose to return home to Casper after serving in Washington, D.C., instead of continuing to pursue various lobbying opportunities on Capitol Hill.
She was also a founding member of the Congressional Western Caucus of which Hageman is a member.
Hageman said she considers Cubin a dear friend and a political mentor.
“Her leadership in the House is an inspiration to us all,” Hageman said. “I am honored to recognize such a wonderful public servant and friend.”
Barrasso said the dedication Cubin showed to the people of Wyoming won’t be forgotten.
“Our legislation provides a wonderful opportunity to recognize Barbara’s legacy and record of public service,” he said.
A different bill honoring former Shoshoni Postmaster Dessie Bebout’s life was sent to the president’s desk earlier this month. The legislation honors Bebout, who died last year at the age of 102, by naming the local post office in Shoshoni after her.
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
